125 YEARS OF THE JOHNSHAVEN DOCK
TWENTY five years ago the harbour and its precincts were a hive of activity for a gala day held by the Benholm and Johnshaven Ladies' Lifeboat Guild.
Conditions were perfect, with warm sunshine, no wind and calm seas. However, this was no ordinary gala day because it was arranged appropriately to commemorate the opening of the dock in July 1884.
In 1871 an extension had been built to the original pier to create the present harbour but ten years or so later it was thought that an even safer refuge was necessary. So, the inner harbour was built, at a cost of 4,000, paid for by Hercules Scott, owner of Brotherton Castle. It could accommodate 30 large herring boats, the depth of water was 10 feet at high tide, apparently the firm of Brebner and Duncan who carried out the work was required to do little blasting on the rocky bottom and when the project was completed 125 years ago people came from near and far for the opening.
There were special trains from Montrose and Inverbervie. A procession which included fishermen, Templars, Masons, militia, school pupils and a host of others marched to Brotherton Castle. Later, Mr and Mrs Scott and their two daughters were pulled in a carriage by fishermen to the harbour where notable personalities were present including the Viscountess of Arbuthnott and members of her household. The assembled throng was addressed by Captain Cruickshanks, the oldest seagoing fisherman in the village, before a ribbon across the new dock was cut and a travelling clock presented to Mr Scott in appreciation. The celebrations ended with games and dancing in the Haughs of Wairds with music provided by the Ferryden Flute Band.
The gala day in July 1984, which raised 750, was opened by Mr Jack M.D. Smith, President of the Montrose branch of the R.N.L.I, who outlined the invaluable work being done by the Institution in saving lives at sea and gave a brief resume of the great occasion when the dock was opened. The large crowd who attended the gala were then able to clear the many well-provisioned stalls, inspect the Montrose lifeboat, Lady MacRobert, and end the afternoon by watching the rockets set off by Montrose Station Officer Paton.
In 2009, while gala days no longer take place, the local Ladies' Lifeboat Guild continues to put in tremendous efforts on behalf of the RNLI, the recent "New-2-U" sale, for example, raising 1,025.
While the sizeable herring fleet of yesteryear has long since gone, the dock continues to fulfil its function of sheltering vessels, although today it tends to be part-time creel boats and pleasure craft which seek the sanctuary of its sturdy sea walls.
Bowling Club
The Bowling Club brought their campaign in the Kincardineshire League to a conclusion on Thursday night with two points from their match against Newtonhill, only on this occasion it was the away rink who had to be thanked for bringing home the bacon.
For all but three ends the home rink of Twig O'Brien, Roy Mowatt, Margaret Hann and Bett Beedie had the upper hand over D. Wyness, A. Gordon, P. O'Hara and K. Barclay. 6-2 up after three, 10-4 after nine and 13-8 after fourteen their prospects, quite properly, looked good. Disappointingly, however, they were unable to dig themselves out of this particular graveyard and with a run of 3,4,3 Newtonhill spurted to victory by 18 shots to 13.
What a match it was at Newtonhill between the home rink of L.Taylor, A. McWillie, R. Garrett and R. Taylor and Johnshaven's Eck O'Brien, Alan Black, Bryan Duff and Alan Robbie. Johnshaven enjoyed the better of the early stages and led 6-3 after seven. Three ends later and Newtonhill were ahead, 7-6. After twelve the visitors had again gained the advantage, 8-7, only for Taylor's rink to put themselves into pole position, 11-8, with only two to play: very briefly, though, because with a count of three at the penultimate, Robbie's quartet levelled matters (11-11) and, in a nerve-tingling finish, memorably won the crucial single to inflict on Newtonhill's home rink only their second defeat in this season's League.
On the whole, though, the Johnshaven Club experienced a disappointing 2009 in the Kincardineshire League, bearing in mind the progress which had been made in 2007 and 2008. However, there were encouraging signs in the second half of the season. The home rink hit a good run of form including fine victories against Drumlithie and Laurencekirk who were each top of the table at the time and the away rink's success against the formidable Newtonhill was certainly one for the scrapbook. Most promising, though, for the future of the Club, were the performances of some of their recent and first season members who performed admirably in, for them, an unaccustomed and truly competitive environment.
The Club's seven ends competition for the Holleyhead Trophy took place in quite pleasant conditions on Sunday afternoon. In the semi-finals Jim Brebner had a comfortable victory by 7 shots to 2 against Mary Lindsay while Roy Mowatt's count of three at the last saw him defeat Alan Robbie by 7 shots to 4. In the final Jim counted three shots at the first end. That was all he was to record, though, as Roy, on his mettle, heavily outscored him by 11 shots to 3 with an end to spare to get his hands on the Holleyhead Trophy for the first time.
Due to the torrential rain Friday's hat night had to be cancelled, the second time this has happened this season. Hat nights do continue, though, on Fridays at 7 p.m. and all are welcome.
Putting
In the final of the weekly competition for the Barclay Harvey Shield Mike Craig, Snr defeated Graeme Anderson 2 and 1. In the semi-finals Mike defeated Clark Simpson 5 and 4 while Graeme defeated Jean Stephen two up. The winner of the consolation competition was Andy Vinten.
The competition for primary school children was won by Finn Pittendreigh who defeated Liam Beedie one up after three extra holes. The consolation winner was Ross Simpson who defeated Sean Anderson two up in the final.
In the semi-finals of the previous week's competition for the Cup, Keith Brown was taken to the 21st hole by David Beedie while Stuart Beedie defeated Michael Craig one up. There was another struggle for Keith in the final before he eventually got the better of Stuart after three extra holes.
The winner of the consolation competition was Liam Beedie who defeated Murray Dunbar in the final. The losing semi-finalists were D. Scott and C. Clark.
Mearns Coastal Parish
The Sacrament of Holy Communion was celebrated in St Cyrus Church on Sunday morning when the service was conducted by the Interim Moderator, the Rev Catherine Hepburn, and the organist was Robin Beattie.
This Sunday's services will be held at the usual times of 10 a.m. in Johnshaven Church and 11.30 a.m. in St Cyrus Church.
Prize Bingo
The third prize bingo session of the summer, organised by the Bowling Club, will be held in the Community Clubroom at Wairds Park this Saturday, July 25: doors open 6.30 p.m., eyes down 7 p.m. Admission 1.50 which includes refreshments and two bingo books. Extra books 25p each. Raffle. All welcome.
Sports Quiz No 4.
On Saturday night boxer Amir Khan won his first world title but do you know at which weight he achieved this?
How many major championships had golfer Stewart Cink won before defeating Tom Watson in Sunday's play-off for the Open?
In which year did Tom Watson win the Open at Turnberry?
Who was the leading Scottish golfer in this year's Open championship?
On which golf course will next year's Open be played?
Name the golfer who, in the fourth round of the Open, had the rare distinction of recording an Albatross?
Tiger Woods missed the Open cut on Friday. Do you know many times he has experienced such a failure in a major championship?
Despite spending tens of thousands of pounds on new players which Scottish First Division football team has already been "outfoxed" by cunning predators?
Who was the Australian batsman scored a century in his side's second innings against England in the second Ashes Test match?
What was historic about England's victory in the second Ashes Test match?
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Weather for Stonehaven
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 2 C
Wind Speed: 23 mph
Wind direction: South west
